Q-RT-PCR: data analysis software for measurement of gene expression by competitive RT-PCR.
BACKGROUND
We have developed software to assist in the computation of gene expression from data obtained in competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This report describes the mathematical basis of competitive RT-PCR and discusses the criteria which must be met to permit accurate estimations of gene expression to be obtained using this technique.


RESULTS
The software that has been developed assists in both the assessment of assay performance (specifically in establishing the equality of amplification efficiency of the native and competitor templates) and in the routine analysis of data obtained in quantitation of gene expression by competitive RT-PCR. The software is a 100 kb module which functions as a Microsoft Excel add-in. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac versions of Excel 5 and Excel 7 on the Windows 95 platform, and employs the spreadsheet, statistical and graphing capabilities incorporated into Excel.


BACKGROUND
The software can be downloaded from http://www.grad.ttuhsc.edu/archive/. A brief summary in both HTML and Microsoft Word 6 format of the installation and use of the software is also located at this website.
Doris
P A
PA
Department of Cell Biology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, USA. pdoris@imm2.imm.uth.tmc.edu
Hayward-Lester
A
A
Hays
J K
JK
D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D005784:Gene Amplification; D015870:Gene Expression; D008956:Models, Chemical; D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D012984:Software
D019696:Peptidylprolyl Isomerase